The practice of sending sexual images via text is rife among Londonderry and north west teenagers, it has been revealed by sexual abuse support group NEXUS.

The current craze of teenagers sharing sexually explicit images of one another is just one of a number of ways they are leaving themselves open to exploitation, according to the Derry-based charity.

The Clarendon Street organisation have launched a groundbreaking new project that seeks to help vulnerable young people - such as those in care or those with learning difficulties - avoid being sexually exploited or abused.

Development Worker Mary McLaughlin told the Derry Journal that while many teenagers leave themselves vulnerable by having explicit images taken of them, those who take and send the images could leave themselves open to prosecution.